In the face of sustained public anger over the harmonized sales tax, B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell resigned Wednesday, saying he was getting in the way of his own government.

Campbell told surprised reporters at a hastily arranged news conference in Vancouver that any progress made by his government was being overshadowed by questions about his leadership.

"When public debate becomes focused on one person, as opposed to what's in the best interests of the province of British Columbia, we've lost sight of what is important," Campbell said.

"When that happens, it's time for a change."

The extraordinary announcement capped the political career of B.C.'s 34th premier — one of only four men in the province's history to win three consecutive majority governments.

Campbell promised a "smooth and orderly transition." He took no questions from reporters, but party officials said he'll remain in office until a replacement is selected within the next several months.

Campbell said he's asked the B.C. Liberal party to hold a leadership convention "as quickly as possible."

"It's time for a new person to lead the province," he said.

The timing of Campbell's resignation, a week after a cabinet shuffle and province-wide television address, caught many by surprise.

But the premier was facing what some had deemed an emergency caucus meeting by Liberal MLAs Thursday. The results of a secret vote on his leadership were set to be revealed at the party's annual convention in two weeks. His personal popularity had dipped below 10 per cent and a cabinet minister took the rare step of publicly criticizing him after the most recent cabinet shuffle. Many of his MLAs are facing recall campaigns over the HST in coming months.

Campbell had spent the weekend with his family in California, including his grandchildren. He spoke of "considerable soul searching and discussion with my family" in making his decision.

He said his recent income tax cut and education announcements, made during a television speech, had been overshadowed by questions about his leadership.

But it has been the unpopular HST that has dramatically eroded his government's popularity since it was introduced shortly after the Liberals won re-election in 2009. A referendum on the tax is set for September 2011, after more than 557,000 B.C. voters signed a petition to repeal the tax earlier this year.

"I am hopeful my announcement today will allow British Columbians to move forward and fully consider the HST and its alternative as they move toward September of 2011," said Campbell.

Shortly after his statement, Campbell held a conference call with a select group of Liberals, during which he talked about his becoming an impediment for the Liberals and expressed concern about party unity.

Opposition NDP leader Carole James said Campbell "did the right thing" by announcing his intention to resign.

"None of this though takes away from the B.C. Liberal record, none of this takes away from what we've seen the province become under the B.C. Liberals, which is a more divided British Columbia," said James.

James expressed concern about the uncertainty created by Campbell's departure. "So I certainly hope they get on with putting someone in place, because there are a lot of big issues that need to be addressed in this province."

She thanked Campbell for his service to the province.

Campbell thanked his family for supporting him during 26 years of municipal and provincial politics.

"Politics can be a very nasty business and at times that nastiness spilled over into their own personal lives," he said. "For that I am sorry. I want to say thanks to them for their love and support."

Political observers said Campbell had little choice but to step aside after negative reaction to his most recent attempts to refocus his government's agenda.

"Clearly he was hoping to get a fresh start last week with the cabinet shuffle and televised address but ... as polls showed that didn't happen and things had deteriorated too far," said Norman Ruff, University of Victoria political science professor emeritus.

By choosing to leave, Campbell saved himself a worse fate, said Allan Tupper, head of the political science department at the University of British Columbia.

"He controls his own exit," said Tupper. "Had things gone farther perhaps he may been deposed or faced caucus revolt or party revolt that was no longer subtle but overt — at which point it's very difficult to stay."

Campbell said that during nine years as premier, he'd never approached the job by trying to do what was popular, a phrase he has often repeated in defence of the HST the past year.

"It's not always popular to do what you think in your heart is right," he said.

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Gordon Campbell: "It’s time for a new person to lead the province"

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